This article was originally published by vanity fair.
South Carolina could make Iowa the site of the first presidential primary after the rulemaking arm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted Friday for the first time in five decades.
The DNC approved the transfer of Palmetto State Primary 3 Februarymoves it to the top of the calendar, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire three days later.
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The move came after President Joe Biden sent a letter to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, explains his reasoning for restructuring the nomination calendar. He emphasized the impact of the early contests and why he felt they should represent America’s diversity “economically, geographically, demographically.”
“Too often over the past fifty years, candidates have dropped out or had their candidatures sidelined by the press and pundits because of poor performance in small states early in the process, before voters of color have cast a ballot,” Biden wrote.
“Like my administration, the Democratic Party has worked hard to reflect America’s diversity — but our nomination process does not,” he wrote. “It’s time to update the process for the 21st century.”
Iowa held them first elementary school in 50 yearssince 1972, the Associated Press reported.
Although the DNC’s rulemaking arm has taken the first step in making South Carolina the first state to hold a primary, the entirety of the DNC has yet to do so Vote on the changes in early February.
“I didn’t ask to be first,” said House Majority Whip and South Carolina’s only Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn. “It was his idea to finish first.”
“He knows what South Carolina has done for him and he’s proven it time and time again by showing respect for South Carolina,” Clyburn added.
“This proposal reflects the best of our party as a wholeand it will continue to strengthen our party and our country,” said DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison.
Iowans are not so pleased. “Democrats cannot forget entire constituencies in the heart of the Midwest without causing significant damage to the party in newer generations,” said Scott Brennan, a DNC member from Iowa.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted his disappointment: “The Democratic National Committee is pulling the plug on the Iowa Democratic Party and that is the WRONG THING TO DO I hope the Democrats in Iowa don’t throw in the towel.”